Question

question 2 of 20
the nurse is assessing a client with suspected post - pericardiotomy syndrome after cardiac surgery. what manifestation will alert the nurse to this syndrome?

• hypothermia
• pericardial friction rub
• decreased white blood cell (wbc) count
• decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (esr)

Explanation:

Post - pericardiotomy syndrome is an inflammatory condition of the pericardium after cardiac surgery. A pericardial friction rub is a characteristic manifestation of pericardial inflammation, which can occur in post - pericardiotomy syndrome. Hypothermia is not a typical manifestation of this syndrome. Inflammatory conditions like post - pericardiotomy syndrome are associated with an increased white blood cell count (not decreased) and an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (not decreased).

Answer:

B. pericardial friction rub